PRESS RELEASE: ROCKY RECYCLERS CAN CASH IN FOR CHRISTMAS AS NEW DEPOT OPENS

Not For Immediate Release
Publication Date: Monday 29 November 2021

Rockhampton recyclers now have more opportunity to earn extra money for Christmas with the opening of a new Containers for Change depot in the local region.

Container Refund Rockhampton will begin operation today, Monday 29 November, at 15 Dooley Street in the Park Avenue Industrial Estate.

The new facility will give residents of Rockhampton greater opportunity to exchange their used beverage containers through the scheme, which provides a 10-cent refund for every eligible beverage container deposited at the more than 320 refund points across Queensland.

More than five billion containers have been returned and $500 million in refunds have been claimed since the scheme began just over three years ago.

The Fitzroy region has already staked a strong claim for refunds, earning well over $30 million by returning more than 300 million containers in that time.

Ken Noye is the chief executive officer of Container Exchange, the not-for-profit organisation that operates Queensland’s Containers for Change scheme.

He said the opening of Container Refund Rockhampton would make cashing in even easier for locals.

“Queenslanders have already found the cash in their containers to the tune of $500 million, but there is still so much opportunity for people to make the most of the scheme,” said Mr Noye.

“There are still at least one billion containers and $100 million in refunds that are not being collected every year across the state.

“This is an opportunity for everyone, and the opening of Container Refund Rockhampton will make it quicker and easier for local residents to earn more refunds.”

The Clement family have established the new Rockhampton depot and bring with them the experience of operating the successful Container Refund Point in Gracemere.

At the Dooley Street premises they have modified the old Regal Bakery into an undercover drive-through depot that will provide customers with a convenient, all-weather solution to recycle and access their refunds.

The Clements are delighted that Container Refund Rockhampton will be ready to service the needs of local recyclers in time for the peak holiday season and beyond.

“Summer and the Christmas and New Year festivities bring a dramatic increase in the consumption of cold drinks and therefore the sale of the containers they come in,” said business operator Angela Clement.

“We are opening in peak season so locals can immediately turn their containers into cash instead of them harming the environment by letting them go into general waste and landfill.

“We have used the knowledge we have gained operating the refund point in Gracemere to ensure our new depot is just what people want – comfortable, clean and as convenient as possible.”

Container Refund Rockhampton will be open seven days a week to service the needs of keen local recyclers.

For more information on the Containers for Change scheme, please visit www.containersforchange.com.au/qld.

ENDS

Local media outlets are invited to the opening announcement event from 10am to 11am on Monday 29 November at 15 Dooley Street, Park Avenue.

It is expected that Rockhampton Rotary Club will be in attendance for a photo opportunity. Media will also be given a brief opportunity to ask the business operator and Rotary questions in relation to the depot opening.

A COEX spokesperson/representative will also be on standby for questions related to the Containers for Change scheme.

To register your interest in attending the event or for more information, please contact:

Adam Nicholson, External Relations
Container Exchange
m | 0477 374 357
e | [email protected]
w | containerexchange.com.au

Cleaning up our state since November 2018, Containers for Change aims to increase recycling rates and reduce litter by allowing Queenslanders to exchange eligible drink containers to either earn a 10 cent refund for each container returned, or donate the proceeds of those refunds to their nominated community group.

COEX is the non-profit organisation that implements the Containers for Change scheme.